TONIGHT: Viewer’s Choice Raw is tonight, three hours long. It was one of the worst episodes of Raw in 2010…let’s see if creative learned from their mistakes that night. Also, fall-out from Capitol Punishment, including John Cena retaining the WWE Title, and Dolph Ziggler winning the US Championship. WWE’s Facebook page is also promising “the genesis of something monumental” from CM Punk on the show. WWE Magazine’s Twitter announced the first match, a Divas Title match, where the fans will vote on the opponent. Brie Bella will face one of Eve, Kelly Kelly, or Beth Phoenix.

- WWE Open.

- RAW Open.

- Fireworks led off inside the arena in Baltimore, Maryland. Michael Cole called last night’s Capitol Punishment “extraordinary.” I don’t know if that’s the superlative I’d use. Cole was with Jerry Lawler and Booker T.

- Tonight’s Power to the People voting system will be done via text. No voting on WWE.com? I figured they’d use this as another way to drive traffic to the site to get their numbers up for the month/quarter.

- CM Punk was introduced and he came to the ring. Cole plugged Twitter, saying we can Tweet about this Raw and to use the following hashtag: #RAWP2P. Punk sat in the middle of the ring and waited for the crowd to quiet down before he spoke. He insulted the fans, saying he wouldn’t trust any fan in the arena with the content of this television program. He wondered what kind of awful decisions they’d make, saying they are living in Baltimore after all. Punk said he is the best WRESTLER in the world. He said he soundly defeated Rey Mysterio at Capitol Punishment, and soundly defeated John Cena last week on Raw. He said wins and losses still do mean something, and that he’s #1 contender for the WWE Championship. He said that’s a fact based on his accomplishments over the past two weeks. He asked the anonymous Raw GM to shoot an e-mail to Cole to make it official that he’s #1 Contender. Punk said he wants the match in his hometown, at the second Money in the Bank PPV. He reminded everyone he won the MITB two years at Wrestlemania. Punk said he was staging a sit-in, and wasn’t going to leave until the GM made him #1 contender.

It didn’t take long for the GM to chime in. Cole tried to do his catchphrase and Punk interrupted by saying it too and Punk told him to just get on with it. The GM said he’d take Punk’s demands into consideration, but for now, he wants Punk to leave the ring. Punk didn’t seem to take it seriously, so the GM e-mailed in again, suggesting Punk leave the ring now. Punk said he said until the GM announces him as #1 contender, he suggests the GM watch him make snow angels. The GM e-mailed in saying he was going to name Punk #1 contender later in the night, but he feels disrespected, so now Punk has to face Alberto Del Rio for #1 contendership. Punk said he’s used to people making bad decisions around here, but Del Rio has one fluke win…and another GM. It’s now a triple-threat match, with Mysterio added in. Punk’s “who cares” attitude is hilarious and awesome. Whether that has anything to do with his contract expiring soon or if it’s the way his character is being written, I don’t care.

- The first vote was plugged, with Eve, Kelly Kelly and Beth Phoenix the options to face Brie. Jerry Lawler showed how easy it was to vote, and the camera showed his vote (it was Kelly Kelly). Nice subliminal message to the fans. They showed the Divas backstage waiting. I think I’d vote Beth (barely over Eve), but Kelly will likely win.

[Commercial Break]

- Brie Bella came out for her match. Kelly got 53%, Beth 36% and Eve 11%. That seems like a low number for Eve.

(1) Brie Bella vs. Kelly Kelly – Divas Championship MatchBrie taunted Kelly, then exited the ring. Kelly went after her, but Nikki provided a distraction to allow Brie to knock Kelly of the apron. Lots of choking by Brie using the ropes as a weapon. Then she began to work the arm. Kelly came back with a Thesz Press and a two-count. Neck-breaker by Brie for only two. Kelly got her boot up on a charge, then tried a victory roll. Brie sat down and got two, but Kelly reversed it to pick up the win.

Winner: Kelly, at 3:02. Aside from the last minute or 30 seconds, they did pretty much nothing but choking and resting. It’s like whoever put together the match was afraid they’d screw something up because they’re so limited.

- Lawler went into the ring to interview Kelly. She thanked everyone for voting her in, as this is her first title. She was crying and said she’d make everyone proud. Well, they certainly established the power the people have in the first match, hoping to hook them by showing them their votes matter.

- Evan Bourne is in action next, and they showed a video package on him. His three options for opponents: Jack Swagger, Mason Ryan and Sin Cara. The three were shown waiting backstage.

[Commercial Break]

- Evan Bourne came out. Mason Ryan got 51%, Sin Cara got 30% and Swagger got 19%. Wow. I wonder if management will see that as an indictment of Cara.

(2) Evan Bourne vs. Mason RyanBourne tried to avoid Ryan, but Ryan used his power to get on offense. Crowd chanted “Batista” at Ryan. Clothesline and a big one from Ryan. Couple back-breakers followed that, then a fallaway slam. Cole made fun of the fans for choosing Bourne, the fan favorite, to face Ryan. Bourne kicked at Ryan in the corner, then hit a jumping knee. In the middle of the ring, Ryan pressed Bourne over his head and slammed him. Bourne was placed on the top, and went for Air Bourne, but Ryan moved out of the way. Small package (ugly at that) for two by Bourne. He came off the second ropes, right into Ryan’s arms. Sideslam ended it.

Winner: Ryan, at 4:02. I hate the WWE Universe. They robbed me of Cara vs. Bourne!

- They showed fans texting at ringside, while Cole talked about the latest on Mark Henry, showing Big Show’s attack on him from Smackdown. Cole said it was the first time Henry has ever been stretchered out of the arena.

- Henry came out for his match. He said what happened to Show last night is what happens when the World’s Largest Athlete meets the World’s Strongest Man. He said he punished Show just like Show punished him on Smackdown. Henry said when Show walks the earth, the earth shakes. But when Henry walks the earth, the people shake. He said just like his theme says, when you mess with the World’s Strongest Man, somebody is going to get their ass kicked. Nice little interview.

- They plugged the three options and said the match would happen next.

[Commercial Break]

- Arm-wrestling match wins at 52%. Over-the-top-rope got 35%, Bodyslam 13%. Crowd booed the result. I love it. That was the worst result they could’ve chosen, though it doesn’t involve them actually having to wrestle, so that’s nice.

(2) Mark Henry vs. Kane – Arm-Wrestling MatchThey had the arm-wrestling set-up once Kane came down. Henry hesitated, like every other heel in an arm-wrestling match. “This is stupid” chant from the fans, and quite audible. More stalling. Kane pulled away too, then they went at it seriously and started the match. Neither one was gaining much traction, but Henry did start to win. Kane reversed course and got back even, but Henry punched Kane once he seemed to be in trouble.

Winner: Kane, via DQ. Paint-by-numbers arm-wrestling match.

Kane came back and set up the chokeslam, but Henry clotheslined him. Henry picked up the table and nailed Kane with it. Henry continued beating on Kane after the match as the crowd chanted for Big Show. He sent Kane spine-first into the ring post. Henry began to disassemble the announce table and did a lot of yelling. He picked up Kane and, like Show last night, slammed him through the table. “You suck” chants for Henry. They replayed key moments in that segment.

- R-Truth joins the show next.

[Commercial Break]

- They showed the deconstructed announce table. Booker asked for a new table. Cole sent it to a video package of R-Truth’s heel stuff.

- R-Truth came out to the live crowd a minute past the top of the hour. “You suck” chants for him as well. Truth said the people in Baltimore have no home training, so he’d continue to let them act like the animals they are. He said the fans are glad they’re in charge and making the calls, but he made a call to himself in the head because at Capitol Punishment, he didn’t think things out clearly. He tried to think of those that would try to get him last night. He thought it’d be the computer at first, then he thought Cena. He yelled at the fans for “what”-ing him. Then he said he got okey-doked by Little Jimmy. “I got got by Little Jimmy.” He said all the little and big Jimmies were in on it, as well as the Momma Jimmies. Sadly, we didn’t get the end of his rant because Christian’s music interrupted.

“I feel where you’re coming from dawg,” said Christian in a hilariously white manner. “Did he just call him dawg?” asked Booker. Christian said Power to the People is a complete joke, since they decided he should face Randy Orton five days after he won the title, and being part of the loss. He said he’s had his set-backs, but they’re not his fault. He blamed horrible crowds just like the one in Baltimore. I wonder if they got the directive to trash the fans even more after the “this is stupid” chant. Christian also talked poorly of Teddy Long. He showed a still of his leg being under the bottom rope when he was getting pinned last night. Christian said he needs one more opportunity. “You’ve had how many chances?” asked Truth. He said at least Christian has been champ – he got screwed by Little Jimmy. “Who’s Little Jimmy?” Christian asked. Truth said maybe Canada doesn’t have Little Jimmys, then the crowd chanted “Little Jimmy.” But The Miz’s music interrupted and he walked out.

Miz was appalled they’d complain about losing last night, calling the two whiners and crybabies. Miz said unlike them, his gripes are legitimate. He said Alex Riley didn’t win last night, he had a victory handed to him. Christian took issue with Miz’s claims, saying he and Truth were in title matches last night. “How dare you?” Miz asked. Then they all traded the same expression amongst themselves, and Miz chimed in with more “Reallys.” Christian and Truth did so too, until Christian said “Riley.” Miz said “Randy” and they went back and forth until Truth got in their face with “Jimmy.” This is like an episode of Seinfeld. Teddy Long’s music interrupted and said people don’t want to see them blabbering in the ring (uh, compared to the other stuff on the show, I’ll take it). They’re team up in a six-man tag match later tonight, with the fans deciding on a stipulation. Their opponents: Riley, Cena and Orton. How does Long have jurisdiction here?

- The announcers talked on camera again, saying Kofi Kingston has a title re-match against Dolph Ziggler in a two-of-three falls match, Vickie Guerrero banned from ringside, or submission match. Lawler voted for number two.

[Commercial Break]

- Vickie Guerrero came out and introduced Dolph Ziggler. They walked to the ring for the next match. Lawler said he hasn’t seen legs like Vickie’s since the brontosaurus died out. He would know. Kofi Kingston then came out. The voting results: 2 out of 3 Falls won it with 51%; no Vickie had 31%; submission match got 18%. Crowd booed again. I would’ve guessed Vickie banned from ringside, but then, I’m 1-for-4 tonight.

(3) Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston – United States Championship Match, Two out of Three FallsThe match went to the outside after Kingston stomped Ziggler. Kofi was focused as he went on offense inside and outside of the ring. Backslide by Kofi for two. Kofi crashed and burned to the outside, with momentum swinging to Ziggler as they went to break at 2:25.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 5:29 of the match with Kingston in a headlock. Ziggler won the first fall during the break, so he’s up 1-0. Beautiful dropkick by Ziggler for two. Fameasser for two. “I like big boned women,” said Booker, explaining his fascination with Vickie. I bet Sharmell will have a word with him for that. Kofi got the SOS out of nowhere at 7:35 for the win for fall two, evening things at 1-1. Dropkick blocked by Kofi, who catapulted Ziggler into the turnbuckle. Both men tried to regain their faculties at 9:21. Kingston was the one who got on offense with dropkicks. High foot stomp that didn’t look too good, for two. Kingston splashed Ziggler on the back for two. Ziggler crawled to ringside and retrieved his title. He tried to use it on Kofi, who landed Trouble in Paradise outside the ring. Kingston rolled Dolph into the ring and made the pin, but Ziggler got two fingers on the bottom rope to break the pin. Back to ringside went Ziggler. This time, he got a mic from Justin Roberts and tried to leave through the crowd. He bopped Kingston with the mic, drawing the DQ.

Winner: Kingston, 2-of-3 falls, 12:20. Wait…so because he won one of the falls by DQ, he doesn’t get the title? What if he won fall one by DQ, lost fall two and then won fall three by pinfall? Does he still not get it? Or is it just the deciding fall that the title can’t change hands on if it’s DQ or count-out?

Kingston clobbered Ziggler after the match.

- The announcers talked about Steve Austin declaring tonight “Power to the People” night, and showed the clip of him doing it last week.

- Tonight’s #1 contender triple-threat match with Rey vs. Punk vs. Del Rio will be no-DQ, Falls Count Anywhere, or Submission match. So if submission match won for Kofi vs. Ziggler, there’s a possibility there would be two such matches on the show? Match is next.

[Commercial Break]

- Next week’s Raw Roulette show will feature Shawn Michaels.

- Justin Roberts introduced Alberto Del Rio. He’s no Ricardo Rodriguez. Del Rio grabbed the mic from Roberts and talked about the car accident that took out Show briefly. He said it was an accident, but then said maybe it was…destiny. Then he reiterated that bad things happen to bad people. He said his victory last night over Show was not an accident, but destiny. And tonight, he’ll destroy Punk and Mysterio. It will be destiny. Ugh, that was scripted poorly, just repeating “accident” and “destiny” over and over again. Voting will continue during the break.

[Commercial Break]

- CM Punk came to the ring. Lawler announced that WWE has gotten hundreds of millions of texts. Rey Mysterio came out to round out the match. Stipulation winner: Falls count anywhere got 66%, 23% for No DQ and 11% for Submission. That’s not so much of a surprise.

(4) Alberto Del Rio vs. CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio – Triple Threat Match for the #1 Contender to the WWE ChampionshipRey had the advantage early on. Del Rio was back-dropped over the top rope, then got a near-fall on Rey. Rey tried a 619 but Del Rio popped up out of nowhere and clotheslined him. Punk went for the first pin outside the ring, and he got two on Del Rio. Mysterio nailed Punk, who ended up against the barricade. Pin try by Rey for only two. They went to break at 2:07 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 4:57 with all three men in the ring. Dueling “Let’s go Rey/CM Punk” chants. They did the superplex/powerbomb spot with all three guys on the top rope. Del Rio tried to pin both men but couldn’t get either. Charge in the corner missed by Del Rio and he went shoulder-first into the ring post. Hey, how did Rey get to be in this match? He lost his last two PPV matches in a row, and cleanly I might add. Rey went to the top and dove on Punk’s chest with a rolling headbutt, then dove through the ropes and onto Del Rio on the outside. That was unique. Seated senton off the top onto Punk for two. It turned to the top of hour three at this point. Punk avoided a springboard moonsault. Del Rio set Rey up for his cross arm-breaker, and hooked it in. Legdrop off the top by Punk on ADR broke it up. Jumping enziguiri by Del Rio. Mysterio hit the 619 on Del Rio, then went to the top rope. Big splash, but Punk threw him into the ring post. He then pinned Del Rio for the win.

Winner: Punk, at 11:37. That whole “stealing the pin” angle in multi-man matches is soooo played. Regardless, good match.

Punk got the mic, sat down again, and said that the MITB PPV would be a historic day for not only himself, but WWE as a whole. He said it would be the night he’d defeat John Cena for the WWE Title. He then brought out some brutal honesty, saying the day of the PPV is also the day his contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (what’s that?) comes to an end. Punk said he would be leaving and leaving with the WWE Championship.

- Cody Rhodes and his bag men came out. Daniel Bryan was already in the ring. Winner: No count out match with 51%. Paper bag match got 43% and collegiate wrestling match got 6%.

(5) Daniel Bryan vs. Cody Rhodes – No Count-Out MatchBryan back-dropped Rhodes out of the ring and dove through the ropes and onto Cody. The two men fought to the top of the stage and kicked Rhodes in the chest. Bryan ran Rhodes to ringside and rolled him into the ring. Dropkick off the top found the mark. Cole called Lawler out for saying hundreds of millions of people voted earlier tonight, but it was actually hundreds of thousands. Inside cradle by Rhodes, but Bryan reversed it for the win.

Winner: Bryan, at 2:28. Yup. It was there.

Bryan tried to hook in the LeBell lock, but Ted DiBIase ran out. Alabama Slam by Rhodes, which Booker called a sidewalk slam. Cole called him out for calling it that, and Rhodes then hit the Cross Rhodes. DiBiase got a bag from ringside and Rhodes put it on Bryan.

- Some exterior shots of Baltimore were shown. They showed a special Sneak Peek of “Suits,” the newest USA Network original series.

- Cole plugged that one of the announcers would face Vickie Guerrero in a dance-off next.

[Commercial Break]

- The announcers reset the show, showing clips of some of the previous night’s voting results and what came of them.

- Matt Striker and Vickie Guerrero were in the ring. Vickie will be competing in a dance competition. Vickie said she has 15 years of dance training (including exotic!) and her name was “Peaches.” Then she quoted Sable (acknowledging her by name), saying “to all the women who want to be me and all the men who came to see me.” Vickie danced and got up close and personal with Striker, even kissing him on the lips. I guess one of the announcers has to go against her. It’s Cole, Lawler or Booker. Cole got 47%, Lawler 39% and Booker got 14%. Cole did some awful disco and Booker and Lawler were laughing at him. Attempted spinaroonie got him nowhere. Cole asked if we could dig that. Striker decided to go on the loudest boos, giving Cole the win. I don’t know how loudest boos gets you the win, but I don’t really care. Vickie hit Michael in the face after the dance-off, and walked up the ramp…I guess to her dance music.

- Lawler acknowledged the “Power to the People” song by John Lennon that WWE has been using.

- Six man tag main event will be one-fall to a finish, 20-minute time limit match, or an elimination match. Does the time limit match mean they go up to that point, or it has to stop after that? Because if it’s a match that has 20 minutes to end, that’s pretty much like every other match, so rarely does a TV match go that long.

[Commercial Break]

- Another reminder that Shawn Michaels would be on Raw next week from Las Vegas.

- During R-Truth’s entrance for the main event, they showed the somewhat famous footage of the cell phone video of the kid pouring the drink on Truth last night, shot right behind the kid. Don’t they say not to film at their shows? All the guys came out for the match, then they showed the voting results: Elimination match won with 79%, then 16% for one-fall, and 5% for 20 minute time limit. Match begins after break.

[Commercial Break]

(6) R-Truth & Christian & The Miz vs. Alex Riley & Randy Orton & John Cena – Elimination MatchCrowd was hot coming out of break, and the bell sounded to start things. Cena, then Orton, came in to take it to Miz. Miz turned the tide with a big boot and Christian tagged in. Booker somehow surmised that winning this match could hurt Christian. Crowd was firmly behind Orton while Christian was on offense. Sleeper by Truth on Orton. Back suplex by Orton and both men were down at the five minute mark. Reverse DDT by Christian for two. Scoop slam by Orton countered the Spear, and Riley tagged in. Nice pop for the tag in, but not much for his offense. He cheap-shotted Miz and R-Truth. Miz got involved and he and Christan put the boots to Riley. Cena came in and cleaned house, almost going after the referee too. Skull Crushing Finale on Riley by Miz while the ref was distracted. Christian made the pin at 7:07. Both teams regrouped as they went to break at 7:40.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 10:43 of the match. Miz was working over Orton, while they showed Truth and Christian strategizing in the corner. Cena made the tag at 11:45. He hit a few of his pet moves, but Miz hit the back-breaker/neck-breaker combo. Lawler claimed Miz has put away a lot of superstars with that move. Cena tried the STF, but Truth broke it up, and Christian pounded on Cena while the ref was distracted. Back elbow by Christian put Cena down for a near-fall at 14:17. Truth came in but took too much time setting up a suplex. Cena suplexed him down instead, and both men were down as the clock struck 11:00 EST. Truth stopped Cena from tagging Orton, which caused Orton to slam the steps in frustration and pace at ringside. Nice touch.

Miz came in and set up for his finisher, looking like an idiot in the process. Must’ve come from the Randy Orton school of telegraphing finishes. Instead, an AA for Miz and he was out at 16:44. Truth came in to replace him. Christian dodged the AA and went to the top rope. Cena avoided a splash and again, both men were down. Orton and Truth tagged in. Orton got the best of Truth during the exchange. Rope-assisted DDT, then he coiled for the RKO. Christian came from behind and attempted the Killswitch but was clotheslined over the top rope. Truth took advantage, but missed the axe kick. RKO eliminated him at 19:21. Christian speared Orton and he was out at 19:29. He celebrated over Orton, but turned right into an AA. Christian got down and while the ref dealt with Cena, Orton RKO’d Christian. STF by Cena for the tap-out win.

Winner: Cena as the sole surivor at 19:56.

Cena and Orton posed with their respective titles after the match. Where’s Riley to come out and turn heel for them celebrating without him? They replayed Truth, Orton, and Christian’s rapid-fire eliminations. More posing for the champs to close it out. Cena celebrated with some members of the military at ringside while the announcers plugged Raw Roulette for next week.

The Punk angle is pretty cool. I guess it's his favorite thing to do when he's leaving a company. Should be a really heated match in Chicago, and they can even do the same swerve as ROH where he wins (but probably not).

The main event went about as well as it could have with the forced 5 finishes. Christian got to pin Orton and then once again got cheated.

WWE are pussies for not making Ryder a choice anywhere.

The Bourne deal sucked. Bourne has got some steam and is getting a push for MITB, but because of the poll he got put in a match with Mason Ryan that he wasn't allowed to win. And then Mason Ryan couldn't even time a bump into the corner or do a small package.

So they're following a zany night of random, context-free gimmick matches with a zany night of random, context-free gimmick matches.

Kofi and Ziggler had another real hot match.

Someone needs to take notes on every amazing thing Mark Henry said after he decimated the Big Red Machine Kane. "Ain't gonna be no peace as long as I'm around! It's about to get crazy 'round here! I'm the best who ever did it!"

A classic example of why back to back 3 hour shows is a horrible idea. Mason Ryan is just awful in the ring, even Evan Bourne couldn't make him look good tonight. They probably should give Sin Cara his walking papers now.

CM Punk was awesome tonight and I like the angle. But where do they go with R-Truth now, unless he's going to win the MiTB.

I don't believe for 5 seconds that the heat vacuum that is Mason Ryan legitimately got 51% of that vote. Especially since at the end of the match, Cole made sure to tell the internet that it was their fault this happened.

Punk/Rey/ADR was good, but boy did they do nothing with that stip. I'm definitely interested in their take on the Punk leaves ROH as champ angle. My guess would be he wins, they tease him leaving, and the MITB winner gets him before the PPV goes off the air.

No one better be complaining about Ryder not being on Raw tomorrow, he was very prominently on the receiving end of Bourne's offense in that video package!

The Abbott and Costello routine with Christian, Miz, and Truth was pretty great.

Good to see they gave the Power to the People...and by that, they meant giving them the power to watch the E rig the vote. I mean, come on, so many of these votes were so blatantly rigged. Seriously? Mason Ryan? Arm wrestling? Cole in a dance-off when Booker's RIGHT THERE? It honestly felt like the fix was in for a lot of these votes, not that the choices were all that good, anyway. Hey, watch Kane and Mark Henry in a bodyslam challenge, arm wrestling, or an over-the-top-rope challenge. Take your pick between getting punched in the face, kicked in the groin, or burned with a cigar.

On a momentary aside, let's just say for argument's sake that the vote wasn't rigged. What masochist asked for Kofi/Dolph to go 2 out of 3 after they've been wrestling every week for almost a month straight? And then they have the gall to book a shitty finish, anyway!

Congrats to Kelly, but is there any reason they couldn't have let her have the big win on a PPV? Or did they absolutely HAVE to fit in the Obama impersonator?

Thanks, WWE, for giving away the finish to next month's Cena/Punk match. Why would they take the drama out of that match by coming right out and saying "Yeah, this is Punk's last night"? It's like the opposite of what they did with Batista on his last night.

Originally posted by JustinShapiroThe Punk angle is pretty cool. I guess it's his favorite thing to do when he's leaving a company. Should be a really heated match in Chicago, and they can even do the same swerve as ROH where he wins (but probably not).

I'm uneducated in ROH lore...care to elaborate?

He started a #SummerofPunk hashtag on twitter right before Raw, any chance he is actually staying?

I actually think because of some of the terrible selections, it's proof it WASN'T rigged. You think WWE would rig their new pet project Sin Cara to lose voting to a heel? That would come off pretty poorly if they rigged their fans to not care about a big-time babyface.

Originally posted by geemoneyI actually think because of some of the terrible selections, it's proof it WASN'T rigged. You think WWE would rig their new pet project Sin Cara to lose voting to a heel? That would come off pretty poorly if they rigged their fans to not care about a big-time babyface.

If it had been Swagger, maybe I'd believe that. He at least gets enough of a crowd reaction that I could believe there are people at home who'd vote for him. But the Batista chant tonight is literally the only reaction I've ever seen Ryan get. And really, the bloom is off the Sin Cara rose. I have a feeling they'll be keeping him on the back burner until Averno shows up.

Originally posted by geemoneyI actually think because of some of the terrible selections, it's proof it WASN'T rigged. You think WWE would rig their new pet project Sin Cara to lose voting to a heel? That would come off pretty poorly if they rigged their fans to not care about a big-time babyface.

If it had been Swagger, maybe I'd believe that. He at least gets enough of a crowd reaction that I could believe there are people at home who'd vote for him. But the Batista chant tonight is literally the only reaction I've ever seen Ryan get. And really, the bloom is off the Sin Cara rose. I have a feeling they'll be keeping him on the back burner until Averno shows up.

Well, both John Piermarini and Alex Greenfield, former writers, said all of the voting results were legit when they were there. No idea why they'd rig it now when they already make it pretty clear who they want you to vote for (like Kelly Kelly) or the results really don't matter (like Henry vs. Kane stip).

Originally posted by geemoneyI actually think because of some of the terrible selections, it's proof it WASN'T rigged. You think WWE would rig their new pet project Sin Cara to lose voting to a heel? That would come off pretty poorly if they rigged their fans to not care about a big-time babyface.

I agree. I think they just figured Sin Cara would win. And like you said, in most cases it was either obvious or it didn't matter. And in most cases the wrestlers had a match layout worked out that the stip choice was barely going to affect.

Originally posted by Captaincuba

Originally posted by JustinShapiroThe Punk angle is pretty cool. I guess it's his favorite thing to do when he's leaving a company. Should be a really heated match in Chicago, and they can even do the same swerve as ROH where he wins (but probably not).

I'm uneducated in ROH lore...care to elaborate?

He started a #SummerofPunk hashtag on twitter right before Raw, any chance he is actually staying?

CC

I'm not much of an ROH guy myself, but suretainly. Summer of Punk was the same thing they called it in 2005. He'd signed with WWE and was finishing up in ROH and doing a farewell tour as a babyface. His last date before he was going to leave for OVW was against the ROH champion (Aries, right?). But Punk actually won the match and the belt and had a big celebration. Then he did a promo and turned heel and said he was going to take the belt to WWE. So he played sellout corporate champ with guys chasing him and trying to save the belt, with the expectation that he could lose it in any match because no one knew when he was really finishing up.

Originally posted by JustinShapiroThe Punk angle is pretty cool. I guess it's his favorite thing to do when he's leaving a company. Should be a really heated match in Chicago, and they can even do the same swerve as ROH where he wins (but probably not).

I'm uneducated in ROH lore...care to elaborate?

He started a #SummerofPunk hashtag on twitter right before Raw, any chance he is actually staying?

CC

It goes something like this

Face CM Punk got a ROH title shot in what was supposed to be his last night in the company before going to WWE, with the idea he'd vacate the title if he won. He won - but didn't vacate the title, instead turning heel promising to hand the belt to WWE. Punk was forced to defend his belt over the next few months (the Summer of Punk, what he's referencing there), managing to keep the belt but continually be forced into more defenses. As a show of disrespect, Punk even signed his WWE contract on the ROH belt (using it to hold up the paper.) Finally, Punk was beat for the title by James Gibson (Jamie Noble, who was also headed to WWE but that's another story) and left a face the next night.

So the tease here is Punk will win the belt and not actually leave, though maybe threaten to take the belt to, uh, hmmm...

Ok , Someone explain this to me. A 2 out of 3 fall match. Who ever wins 2 falls is the winner...but a title can only change hands by pin or submission....but in a iron man match if some gets dq'ed right before the clock ends and he loses then he loses his belt...but Ziggler got dq'ed and even thoe he lost 2 falls...because he wasn't pinned both times he keeps the US title..... my head hurts.

Dont say its not worth it, when you can sleep with no fear, that kind of time is worth any thing.- FFX

Originally posted by JustinShapiroThe Punk angle is pretty cool. I guess it's his favorite thing to do when he's leaving a company. Should be a really heated match in Chicago, and they can even do the same swerve as ROH where he wins (but probably not).

I'm uneducated in ROH lore...care to elaborate?

He started a #SummerofPunk hashtag on twitter right before Raw, any chance he is actually staying?

CC

It goes something like this

Face CM Punk got a ROH title shot in what was supposed to be his last night in the company before going to WWE, with the idea he'd vacate the title if he won. He won - but didn't vacate the title, instead turning heel promising to hand the belt to WWE. Punk was forced to defend his belt over the next few months (the Summer of Punk, what he's referencing there), managing to keep the belt but continually be forced into more defenses. As a show of disrespect, Punk even signed his WWE contract on the ROH belt (using it to hold up the paper.) Finally, Punk was beat for the title by James Gibson (Jamie Noble, who was also headed to WWE but that's another story) and left a face the next night.

So the tease here is Punk will win the belt and not actually leave, though maybe threaten to take the belt to, uh, hmmm...

And let's not ignore the amazing coincidence of CM Punk's last day under contract just HAPPENING to be the same day as the PPV. And ignore that he won the ROH title in his alleged "last match" June and lost it in August -- neither of which, please note, is "July." As in, July 17. So I think it goes back to CRZ's main rule: if it's on TV, it's a work.

Originally posted by CaptaincubaI'm uneducated in ROH lore...care to elaborate?

When Punk signed his first WWE deal, he was still with Ring of Honor. After everybody and their mothers knew he was signed with WWE, he won the ROH title.

Then he ran around for a month talking about how he was going to take the title on the way out the door with him, signed his WWE contract on a ROH show to prove that he wasn't with the company anymore, and refusing to defend the title.

Ring of Honor had Mick Foley come in to do an angle with him, where Foley extolled the virtues of jobbing the belt on your way out of a company, and eventually lost the belt to James Gibson, had one more match and then reported to OVW.

Hell, I hear Foley and Gibson are available, let's give Jamie Knoble his first World Title run!

(edited by Excalibur05 on 21.6.11 0001)For NFL Power Rankings, My Blog and More, check out Hock Show Dot Com (hockshow.com)

The screen said the Twitter hashtag was #RAWP2P but *both times* it was referenced, Cole said it was #WWEP2P!

Speaking of Twitter:

@CMPunkI knew I was gone at the beginning of the year. I just woke up one day and I knew. That's the way I work a lot of the time.I think it's creepy too, but it's really helpful. I knew I'd be history by July. Come say goodbye on July 17th.Come say goodbye on July 17th. I promise to go out with a bang. Trust me. XxX

Just got off skype with my cousin, who was at attendance at the Baltimore Arena. Bad sign. Arena maybe had around 5,000 people tonight but this show was very poorly promoted in Baltimore for a WWE event. Along with the fact that Arena itself is probably the worst in the entire United States for a major city (crap part of town, 50 years old, no LED lights on the decks etc).

Shame really because Baltimore has some of the greatest wrestling fans.

Originally posted by yamcharulezOk , Someone explain this to me. A 2 out of 3 fall match. Who ever wins 2 falls is the winner...but a title can only change hands by pin or submission....but in a iron man match if some gets dq'ed right before the clock ends and he loses then he loses his belt...but Ziggler got dq'ed and even thoe he lost 2 falls...because he wasn't pinned both times he keeps the US title..... my head hurts.

In the old days, a heel champ would often lose one of the 3 falls by dq to keep his title. I seem to recall either flair doing it on a clash, maybe when he wrestled Eaton.

Originally posted by yamcharulezOk , Someone explain this to me. A 2 out of 3 fall match. Who ever wins 2 falls is the winner...but a title can only change hands by pin or submission....but in a iron man match if some gets dq'ed right before the clock ends and he loses then he loses his belt...but Ziggler got dq'ed and even thoe he lost 2 falls...because he wasn't pinned both times he keeps the US title..... my head hurts.

In the old days, a heel champ would often lose one of the 3 falls by dq to keep his title. I seem to recall either flair doing it on a clash, maybe when he wrestled Eaton.

Flair accomplished the other rarity by going 2-0 on Eaton. I believe that was Flair's last televised match before the jump in '91.

I fell asleep before the triple threat. I am kinda pissed I didn't see the Punk announcement, but not for the dance off or another Cena/Orton win. I thought the snow angels thing was hysterical. Punk leaving is not a death blow to Raw due to Alberto and Miz being there. Yet, I can't imagine who is going to fill the void of his wrestling talent. Promos for the most part Alberto and Miz have covered, but neither is as good a wrestler. The voting had to be rigged. I had my doubts about Sinn Cara and its still early, but the signs are there, he is a Rey imposter and everyone sees it.

We used to get that when I lived in Houston, right before "Afterburn" or whatever the WWF recap show was back then, and right after WOW. It's a fun watch, but they constantly repeated the same 3 or 4 shows every week.